Low Speed Collisions

Thousands of low speed collisions occur every day. In fact, research shows that the majority of auto accident claims occur at speeds as low as 12 mph. However, what you may have considered a "fender bender" may actually be causing you serious injury. While insurance companies and defendants may attempt to dismiss a claim if they believe the speed is too slow for an injury to occur, injuries can exist from accidents at any speeds. How fast does a vehicle have to be going for whiplash to occur? Here is the truth about low speed accidents.

Studies have simulated a rear collision on human test subjects and recorded the results with high speed motion x-rays. All studies have shown that the neck was injured fractions of seconds before the victim realizes there has been a collision because he uses reflexes to prepare for impact. This event can occur at speeds as low as 2.5 mph.

Additionally, modern car bumpers are designed to not show damage from speeds under 5 miles per hour. These standards were adopted to reduce repair costs for insurance companies, and the tests measured vehicle-to-barrier damage, not vehicle-to-vehicle damage. When the crash involves two cars, it takes considerably more force to cause visible bumper damage than a 5 mph collision with a barrier. Some tests have even shown that cars could be crashed repeatedly at 20 mph and not show outer damage. However, it is highly probable that your neck will be injured, although you may not feel it for hours or days, and your bumper may not even show a dent.

Read more about low speed collisions here. If you are injured in a car accident, contact Foley & Oakes at (702) 384-2070.